54 PLANTS OF PRINCE OF WALES ISLAND. 



into projecting and re-entering angles, so that a transverse 

 section of one of them would resemble a star. Thence it 

 ascends, round and perfectly straight, without branches, to a 

 great height, perhaps above one hundred feet. The branches 

 at top are pretty much crowded, but that top is small, in 

 proportion to the size of the tree. This form seems to be 

 occasioned by the trees growing so close together that there 

 is not room for the branches to spread wide. 



The lofty forest overhead, forming an impenetrable shade, 

 the mountain on one hand, and a rugged precipice on the other, 

 the murmuring of a stream in the valley below, with the song 

 of a few birds, and the perpetual shrill hum of numerous 

 beetles, have a striking effect. 



The view from the hill, to the North and South is very 

 extensive over the sea. To the East, it is bounded by a very 

 lofty ridge of mountains on the Malay continent. This ridge 

 is not seen from the plain ; being concealed behind a nearer 

 chain, of much less elevation. To the West-ward is a hill, 

 somewhat higher than that whereon the Bungalow and Flag- 

 staff are erected. This intercepts the view of nearly one 

 fourth part of the horizon, that is from N. 65 W. to S. 32 W. 

 So that, if it should be requisite to notify at Fort Cornwallis, 

 the appearance of ships between these points, it must be done 

 by erecting a second flag-staff on the Western hill, the signals 

 on which should be repeated from that to the east-ward. 



Immediately to the West-ward of the ridge which joins 

 the Bungalow and flag-staff, is a deep valley to which a kind 

 of road has been formed by cutting the sides of the hill into 

 steps and supporting them with sticks laid across. This valley 

 enjoys a perpetual shade ; and at the bottom is a slender 

 stream of very clear and cool water, which running under large 

 masses of rock, is collected in a little bason. The water is 

 hard, from some saline, or mineral impregnation, which I had 

 not the means of examining. 



About half a mile farther on, in the valley which contains 

 the beginning of the new road up the hill, is a cascade, formed 

 by a small river, precipitating itself from the mountain. This 

 river winds through the valley, and the road crosses it five 



Jour. Straits Branch 



